Why is my baby only looking one way? 

26 Jul Why is my baby only looking one way? 

If you notice your new born baby tends to always look in one direction, chances are they have torticollis. 

What is Torticollis? 

Otherwise none as congenital muscular torticollis, torticollis is tightness within the neck muscles on one side causing your infant to look in the opposite direction. 

• If your child looks to the left, they have right sided neck tightness. 

• If your child looks to the right, they have left sided neck tightness.  

What Causes Torticollis? 

Torticollis is a positional deformity seen in newborns. What this means is that the position within the womb can cause one side of the neck to tighten where the other side remains normal length. Once your baby is born it then presents as a directional preference to look to one side.  

It does not occur in all babies and doctors cannot say which children are more likely to develop it. 

Signs of Torticollis 

• Babies will always look to one side when lying on their back 
• Baby will always look over the same shoulder when being held 
• Baby will struggle to breast feed on one side 

Risk of Plagiocephaly 

Plagiocephaly is a flat spot on one side of the head. As infants have soft heads if they spend too much time lying on one side, they may develop this flat spot.  

• If your child looks primarily to the left they may develop a left sided flat spot and vice versa. 

If you suspect your child has torticollis it is also important to monitor their head shape. Please see our previous blog post for more information regarding plagiocephaly. 

https://westernpaediatricphysiotherapy.com.au/what-is-plagiocephaly/ 

Important thing to note 

Some Torticollis are more severe than others meaning treatment can be different. Where there is a palpable lump within the sternocleidomastoid muscles (A Big ropey muscles that goes from the collar bone to the back of the ear) treatment will take longer.  

It is also important to note that there is a correlation between developmental hip dysplasia and torticollis. You should always have a physiotherapist or other health professional capable of assessing hip dysplasia for development if your child has torticollis.  

Treatment of Torticollis 

Treatment of torticollis consists of positioning-based treatment and stretches. 

Positioning treatment 

This consists of strategies to encourage your child to look in the opposite direction. Some of this includes placing your child’s toys and all stimulating objects to be on the side your baby tends not to look towards. When sleeping positioning your child’s head to look in the opposite direction whilst they are still lying on their back.  

When breast feeding or providing a bottle you want to aim to position your baby’s head to so they are looking in the opposite direction. 

Tummy time 

Tummy time is essential for multiple reasons for babies. In regards to helping treatment of torticollis it helps to strengthen key neck and shoulder muscles. 

Stretches 

Rotational stretches in the opposite direction start first throughout the day, once your baby is older ear to shoulder style stretches will commence. These should be guided by your physiotherapist. However mostly can be done at home. 

If you have any more questions or concerns please do not hesitate to book an appointment in with our physiotherapists at Western Paediatric Physiotherapy.